51AVÊÓÆµ

PM 'reneges' on commitment to protect tenant farmers from solar takeovers, TFA warns

At the now infamous NFU Conference in 2023, Sir Keir Starmer said solar energy infrastructure should not come at the expense of tenant farmers and food production. But TFA chief executive George Dunn said a recent outcome for tenants in North Yorkshire would suggest otherwise

Chris Brayford
clock • 5 min read
Sir Keir Starmer, at NFU Conference 2023, said: "We have got high hopes for solar energy in our green prosperity plan. But we cannot do it by taking advantage of tenant farmers, farmers producing good British food on carefully maintained, fertile land. They cannot plan properly if the soil beneath their feet is not secure."
Image:

Sir Keir Starmer, at NFU Conference 2023, said: "We have got high hopes for solar energy in our green prosperity plan. But we cannot do it by taking advantage of tenant farmers, farmers producing good British food on carefully maintained, fertile land. They cannot plan properly if the soil beneath their feet is not secure."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has failed to honour a commitment to the agricultural sector prior to the General Election that solar energy schemes would not come at the expense of tenant farm businesses,...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

Ìý

More on Politics

Iran war: 70% of US farmers cannot afford fertiliser needs on-farm, report says

Iran war: 70% of US farmers cannot afford fertiliser needs on-farm, report says

Like farmers in the UK, food producers in the US are facing an uphill battle with skyrocketing increases to key farm inputs

Chris Brayford
clock 20 April 2026 • 6 min read
Iran war: Arable farmers face uphill battle for survival if price inputs continue to soar

Iran war: Arable farmers face uphill battle for survival if price inputs continue to soar

UK growers are under renewed pressure from conflict in the Middle East, and all at a time when margins were already under significant strain

Chris Brayford
clock 20 April 2026 • 3 min read
Left, right or centre? - How milk preference in tea and coffee could influence your political voting intentions

Left, right or centre? - How milk preference in tea and coffee could influence your political voting intentions

Are Labour voters more likely to put almond alternatives in their tea? And are Tories and Reform voters more likely to have whole milk in their coffee?

Chris Brayford
clock 18 April 2026 • 2 min read